Craig Green: For the Sculptural Uniform
At first glance, Craig Green’s work might seem more austere than Van Beirendonck’s kaleidoscopic world. But look closer, and you’ll find a shared fascination with uniform, utility, and the spiritual dimension of clothing. A former intern of Van Beirendonck's,
Green has built a universe around modular, sculptural garments that feel both ancient and futuristic. Where Van Beirendonck uses bold graphics and color to build his tribe, Green uses quilting, straps, and deconstructed forms to create a sense of community and protection. Both designers are masters of the runway-as-performance-art, creating shows that are emotionally resonant and visually unforgettable. They share a belief that menswear can be more than just suits and shirts; it can be a form of conceptual armor that explores what it means to be human.
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY: For the Theatrical Maximalism
If Van Beirendonck’s aesthetic was born from a mix of art, ethnography, and punk, Charles Jeffrey’s LOVERBOY label was forged in the heat of London’s queer nightlife. The connection is one of pure, unapologetic joy and theatricality. Both designers create clothing for a chosen family, a tribe of colorful characters who refuse to be boring. Jeffrey’s work is a chaotic explosion of Scottish heritage, punk energy, and club-kid glamour, full of painterly prints, distorted tartans, and gender-fluid silhouettes. Like Van Beirendonck, he uses fashion as a form of world-building, where clothing is just one part of a larger narrative that includes performance, art, and music. It’s fashion that’s loud, proud, and deeply rooted in a sense of community.
KidSuper: For the Playful Storytelling
Colm Dillane, the force behind KidSuper, shares Van Beirendonck's multidisciplinary approach and infectious optimism. While the Antwerp Six legend pulls from art and literature, Dillane channels the energy of his Brooklyn neighborhood into a vibrant, art-first fashion label. His work is characterized by a childlike wonder, featuring his own drawings and paintings translated into colorful, narrative-driven garments. The common thread is a deep love for storytelling and a rejection of corporate cynicism. Both designers operate with a spirit of creative freedom, often blurring the lines between fashion designer, artist, and director. For fans who appreciate the gleefully irreverent and graphic-heavy collections of Van Beirendonck, KidSuper offers a similarly playful and heartfelt vision of what menswear can be.
Henrik Vibskov: For the Avant-Garde Playfulness
Danish designer Henrik Vibskov is another multidisciplinary creative who treats fashion as just one part of a larger artistic universe. For over two decades, his presentations at fashion week have been immersive art installations, featuring complex scenography and a healthy dose of surreal humor—a strategy Van Beirendonck has long championed. Vibskov’s aesthetic is a blend of Scandinavian whimsy, oversized silhouettes, and intricate, custom-developed textiles. While his color palette can sometimes be more muted, he shares a fascination with conceptual themes and a knack for turning the runway into a theatrical experience. For those drawn to Van Beirendonck’s ability to build a complete, thought-provoking world around a collection, Vibskov’s intellectually playful and artistically driven approach will feel like a kindred spirit.
